Is there a way in GURPS to create a mage with a default level of skill in a specific magical college? I'm imagining something like an earth wizard who can attempt any earth college spell at a -3 penalty (since normally there is no default for magic).

I am particularly interested in GURPS 4e, but if there are solutions from other editions I would also like to hear them as I can probably make them work.

2 Answers
2

You want to use the Ritual Magic system found on page 200 of GURPS Magic.

The features of the system are

There is a base skill for example Thamuatology

Each college of GURPS Magic is a IQ/VH skill defaulting off of the base skill. A college skill can't be raised higher than the base skill.

Individual spells default off the college skill at a default equal to its prerequisite count. For example Ignite Fire is 0, and Fireball is 3. So if you have a skill of 14 in the Fire College you can cast Ignite Fire at 14 and Fireball at 11.

Individual spells can be improved as techniques up to the level of the college skill.

The prerequisite count is found on the spell tables in the back of GURPS Magic.